Visitors in my backyard

I can never catch these guys on camera...they take off well before I can get my camera out...but this there must have been a lot of yummy seeds in my not so green grass..as I was not only able to get my camera, I was able to change the lense and sneak around the side of the house to hide behind some plants and pretend I was on a safari taking pictures of wild animals. (I think that would be so fun!)



Are these Cardinals you ask? Yes they are! They look a little different then the usual full red Cardinal..They are called Brazilian Cardinals..aren't they pretty? I don't know if they are in any of the mainland states...I'd never seen them in California before..but we have them all over here. I just love the bright flash of red against thier white feathered breast.



Oh..hello!



And these..I don't know what they are. Some kind of seed pod..but what? I've never seen them before. A few days later we found a couple more in our yard. Some new plant near us because we've lived in this house for 5 years and have never had these strange visitors.



Anyone know what they are?